When Love Hurts by Shaquanda Dalton Read Free Book Online

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    “What you doing here?” Angela takes a few steps inside the living room with her arms folded as if this was her place. She stops right in front of me. Angela’s face is edgy, angelic, and thin, just like the rest of her. She can’t be more than five feet tall, but she carries herself like she was six foot one. Her eyes scan me from head to toe like we’ve never been introduced before. I want to say something sassy, but I don’t really have an answer for her. Luckily, Jaylen steps in between us and tells Angela I am just over to chill with him and Malcolm. At least Malcolm’s here before Jaylen got back, to back up his claim. I wonder why Jaylen didn’t give Angela an excuse before she came in.
    Angela puffs out a breath and rolls her eyes like a spoiled four-year-old. I walk around her and sit down next to Malcolm on the couch. Jaylen shuts the door and walks straight to the kitchen. Angela’s left standing in the center of the living room looking toward the kitchen at Jaylen. I can’t focus too much on her, though, with Malcolm staring me down.  
    Jaylen comes back in the room with two beers, and he gives one to Malcolm. None of us say anything for a while. Malcolm’s too pissed off about Chris hitting me. Angela’s looking like she’s angry at the world, and Jaylen’s just standing sipping his beer not looking at either Angela or me. I take a deep breath before standing up and excusing myself to go to the bathroom. I don’t feel like ever going back out there. How can I stay here with Angela knowing I’m here? Am I going home with Malcolm tonight?  
    I don’t understand anything, and I use all my bathroom time just staring at myself in the mirror. I don’t like who I see. I see a person who’s failed at everything she’s ever tried. Someone who’s relationship is filled with nothing but lies and false hope. I see a woman who slept with someone else’s man just for the thrill of it. I rest my elbows on the sink. I am who I am, and if I want to change, it’s gonna be a slow start, but I have to start somewhere.  
    I walk back out with my head held high and notice Malcolm and Jaylen talking about me. I can tell they are because they stop talking as soon as I come into the room. Angela’s in the kitchen now rummaging through the fridge. It’s going on ten p.m. and I, honestly, just want to go to sleep.  
    Malcolm stares at me with calmer eyes, but they still hold a hint of worry. I smile a little and am about to ask about their conversation, when Angela speaks up. “So, what are you doing here?” Her voice is inky and venomous. She comes into the living room with her arms folded below her small chest. “And I know it’s not just to chill.” She makes the quote symbols with her fingers as she says the last word.
    I open my mouth but then close it back up. I look around and realize she asked a darn good question. Why am I here? This isn’t my place, and Jaylen isn’t my man. Angela should be here, not me. Luckily, Jaylen notices my discomfort.  
    “She and Chris got into it. She just needed to get away from him,” he says.
    “Is she staying here?” Angela says with her mouth wide open. She stares at Jaylen with warning eyes. “She’s not staying here!”
    I hold in the urge to roll my eyes at her. Malcolm stands up suddenly and turns to Angela, who is turning deep red with anger. Her light-skinned complexion doesn’t help her either. “Jess is staying with me, Ang. Just calm down.” Malcolm walks past all of us and into the kitchen.
    Jay and Angela are still eyeing each other, and I think about my clothes and other things I brought with me that are still in the guest room. How am I going to get them from the room without Angela seeing me? She’ll know I’ve been sleeping here.
    Malcolm comes back with two more beers and hands one to Jaylen, who takes the beer and sits on the couch. Angela sits down beside him, and the two of them start whispering. I take a deep breath